Jacquie Golding-Duffy
The European Union says it hopes, within the next couple of days, to reach a settlement with the Health Ministry on the R14-million Sarafina II scandal.
“There have been far too many media reports on the issue and the EU hopes that it will be speedily settled and put to rest in an amicable way,” said an EU source.
Another source said the EU will await the outcome of the findings of the Public Protector’s office, which is investigating the scandal.
A Health Ministy representative said it will refuse to pay back any EU funds unless the union makes a formal request via the correct channels.
An assistant in the Public Protector’s office, Dr Tinus Schutte, said interviews with all the relevant people have been concluded, and a finding will be made soon.